World Vision and Football unite in Australia for One Goal

Mar 25 / press release

World Vision Australia and the Football Federation Australia (FFA) are today launching One Goal – a partnership that will use football as a catalyst to improve the nutrition of children in Australia and across Asia.

One Goal is an important initiative between World Vision and the FFA that will see the organisations collaborating together on how the aims and priorities of One Goal can translate into an enduring relationship between the organisations focussing on child wellbeing here in Australia.

Football fans in Australia can join 1.4 billion football fans across Asia to raise money, create awareness and drive change at a government and community level to increase the number of children who survive and thrive in a healthy life.

Australia hosts Asia’s largest football tournament – the AFC Asian Cup – in January 2015 and the Local Organising Committee will use the event to kick start the One Goal campaign in Australia.

The 'Fuelling Asia’s footballers for the future’ report - also being launched today as part of the campaign - estimates that approximately 200 million children across Asia are affected by chronic malnutrition. One Goal will also aim to improve the health of the 19 million children affected by increasing over-nutrition (obesity). Both malnutrition and obesity are results of poor nutrition and prevent children participating in a healthy, active life.

With the support of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 Local Organising Committee and regional partners Royal DSM, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Asian Football Development Project (AFDP), the One Goal campaign seeks to leverage the power and reach of the world game to improve the lives of malnourished children living in the 47 countries where the AFC is present.

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive David Gallop said the One Goal campaign will encourage Australian football fans to tackle the two extremes of nutrition issues facing children in the region.

"Being the sport with the fastest growing following and viewership, football has the power to unite people to take action," he said.

"As lovers of 'the world game' it is important that the football family extend their game-day passion to issues affecting children in our region –both here in Australia and abroad.

"Through Football Federation Australia’s partnership with World Vision Australia and the Asian Football Confederation, we believe the One Goal campaign has the potential to help millions of children reach their full potential,” Mr Gallop said.

World Vision Australia Chief Executive Tim Costello agreed, saying that the partnership offers a significant opportunity to educate fans and create awareness. “Our organisations share objectives to encourage and foster the health and wellbeing of children, communities and nations.

“World Vision Australia is proud to partner with Football Federation Australia and the Asian Football Confederation in order to significantly reduce the incidence of nutrition issues and promote stronger communities for years to come,” Mr Costello said.

Local Organising Committee CEO, Michael Brown said the 2015 AFC Asian Cup creates a unique platform for the One Goal campaign.

"The AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s largest single sporting event and the eyes of the continent will be on Australia in January 2015.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to promote the importance of child nutrition to families across Australia and throughout our region,” Mr Brown said.

One Goal funds in part will assist World Vision Australia's nutrition projects domestically and in countries across the region including exclusive breast-feeding education programs, facilitating improved access to nutritious foods, and pre and postnatal care for mothers.

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About the partners

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. World Vision Australia works in over 60 countries with over 20 million people thanks to the support of more than 400,000 Australians. (www.worldvision.com.au)

Football Federation Australia is the governing body of football in Australia and a member of the Asian Football Confederation.

AFC Asian Cup 2015 Local Organising Committee has been established to deliver the first ever senior men’s football tournament staged in Australia, an event expected to attract a cumulative global television audience of over 1 billion people.